Self-propelling aerial bomb



A. DI GRAZIA AND R. BIAGINI.

SELF PROPELLING AERIAL BOMB.

. 7 APPLICATION FILED JUNE 3,1918, 1,327,810.. Q Patented Jan. 13,1920.

2 SHEETSLSHEET 1.

WITNESSES INVENTORS A. DI GRAZIA AND R. BIAGIN'I.

SELF PROPELLING AERIAL BOMB.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 3,1918- 1 ,32'7, 8 1 O, Patented Jan. 13, 1920.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2- WITNESSES Q g m zu'Tgns 18M u l v v ARCHIE DI GBAZIAAND RAY BIAGINI, OF CHARLEBOI, PENNSYLVANIA.

SELF-PROPELLING AERIAL BOMB.

Specification of Letters I'atent.

Patented Jan. 13,1920.

Application fi1ed June 3, 1918. Serial No. 237,874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, Anonin D1 GRAZIA, a subject of the King of Italy,and RAY BIAGINI, a citizen of the United States, residing at Charleroi,in the county of Washington and State of Pennsylvania, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Self-Propelling Aerial Bombs, ofwhich the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in aerial bombs and has for itsobject to provide a device of this class embodying a selfpropellingdirigible vessel containing a prime mover of suitable type adapted to beoperated for a definite period and to be then discontinued, whereuponthe propulsion of the device will terminate and it will fall by gravityuntil coming into interference with any obstruction, resulting in anexplosion and destruction of the mechanism with accompanyingdistribution of projectiles and fuel in combustion, as more fullyhereinafter described.

Referring to the drawings illustrating certain preferred embodiments ofthe invention Figure 1 is a view in elevation showing the device inposition formaking a flight;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation from the rear;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal horizontal section, partly brokenaway, indicated by line III, III of Fig. 1;

Fig. 1 is a view showing a modified construction of the primer pins; and

Fig. 5 is a cross section on the line V, V of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a conventional ignition system for theengine.

' The body of the device is generally cigar shaped, or of other suitableform, adapting it for travel through the air with a minimum ofresistance, and is inclosed within a surrounding shell 2 of sheet metalor other suitable material, the rear portion 2 contalning' the mamexplosive charge being preferably of a thin shell of aluminum. Withinsaid aluminum shell and arranged centrally of the body portion is themain explosive-containing shell 3, preferably of steel, containing acharge of high explosive 4 of any suitable material as powder or T. N.T. Surrounding said explosive and contained within an outer surroundingshell 5 is a charge of bullets, shrapnel or the like 6, adapted to bescattered in various directions upon explosion of the main charge 4.

Between the shrapnel charge and the outer shell or casing 2 is asurrounding annular cavity which is filled with gasolene or other highlycombustible fluid mixed with a suitable proportion of waste or othersimilar material as indicated at 7, adapted to hold portions of thecombustible fluid when scattered in various directions, whereby tomaintain continuous combustion thereof.

The main vessel is provided with suitable wings or planes 88 extendinglaterally at each side and of proper size and proportions to maintainthe vessel in continuous flight under impelling action of a propeller 9.Said propeller is mounted upon the forward end of the driving shaft 10which is actuated by a fluid combustion engine 11 of any suitable type,but preferably a gas engine utilizing gasolene as fuel. Gasolene forsuch purpose is contained in tank 12 at or about the middle body portionof the vessel, shell or casing 2 and terminal end walls 131lrespectively. Between front wall 13 and the supplemental comparativelythin wall 15 is a supplemental charge of explosive 16 in communicationwith the main explosive charge 4 by a fuse 17 within a communicatingtube or conduit 18. Forwardly of partition 15' and within a suitablecasing 19 is an initial explosive charge 20, the purpose of which is todestroy the ignition connections from a battery or magneto to the sparkplugs of engine 11 for the purpose of rendering such engine ineffectualupon explosion of the charge 20, so as to terminate operation ofpropeller 9. The electrical circuit connections for the ignition aremerely indicated by wires or other suitable connections 21 leading to acommutator 22 of usual construction and adapted to be rendered uselessupon explosion of charge 20. Any suitable wiring for the circuit may beadopted, as indicated in Fig. 6.

It is designed that charge 20 may be ignited at any predetermined timeafter the commencement of the flight of the machine, for which purposewe use a time fuse 23 inserted into communicating contact with charge 20so that, depending upon the length of the fuse and the time of itscombustion, the explosion will take place at a certain number of secondsor minutes after the machine is started. The engine is surrounded by acasing 2 as indicated, and is provided with one or more hinged hoods ordoors 24 for access to the interior, as will be readily understood.Gasolene is furnished to the engine through a suitable carburetor 25from tank 12, as indicated, and the several parts of the engine aresimilar to the usual gasolene motor commonly employed in aeroplane andautomobile work.

The machine is provided with upper and lower stabilizing fins 2627properly braced as indicated, and planes 8 are also preferably arrangedin the manner indicated in Fig. 1, inclining upwardly toward the front,whereby to facilitate rising or soaring action. 7

' The rear end of the machine is closed by a terminal cap 28, preferablyof steel, suitably connected to the main body portion, within which isprovided a steel plug 29 having a central port 30 in directcommunication with main charge 4. Plug 29 is provided with a centralprimer 31, and a plurality of firing pins 32 are mounted in divergentarrangement as indicated, each pin being adapted to be brought directlyinto firing contact engagement with the primer 31 upon coming intocontact with any obstructing object so as to fire the explosive charge4. Pins 32 are slidably mounted in the outer portion of cap 28 and arepreferably maintained in retracted or extended position by spiral spring33, easily compressible upon exertion of a forcible thrust inwardly ofeither pin. Each pin is also preferably provided with a series ofslopingly arranged spurs or barbs 34, projecting angularly as indicated,so as to insure engagement against any obstructing object, as forinstance, wires, foliage, or the like.

For the purpose of starting the apparatus in flight at any desiredangle, we preferably employ an adjustable skidway or platform 35 havingside bars 36, upon which supporting wheels 37 of the machine are adaptedto run. Said wheels are located in suitable positions at the terminalsof conveniently arranged frames 38, wheels 37 being located suflicientlyapart to stabilize the machine in starting. Skidway 35 may be adjustablewith relation to a horizontal base 39 by any suitable means, as gearing40 and a screw 41, the skidway being pivotally mounted at one end asindicated at 42.

The construction and operation of the invention will be readilyunderstood and appreciated from the foregoing description. Engine 11being actuated by propeller 9 will carry the machine along upon wheels37 until it is in flight, and the machine will travel in the desireddirection and for the desired distance during the predetermined periodof time, whereupon, fuse 23 will ignite charge 20, will estroy theengine ignition, and thus result in stoppage of the propeller. Thereuponthe machine will assume an approximately vertical position bygravitation. tipplng backwardly and falling vertically,

because of the greater weight contained in its rear end, and will falluntil one or more of the igniting pins 32 strikes an interfering objectresulting in ignition of the primer of the main charge, with theresulting explosion of supplemental charge 16, resulting in completedestruction of the device itself, violent distribution of the shrapnel,and the gasolene-invested waste or the like, with the accompanyingdestruction or conflagration of any object which is the intendeddestination of the bomb.

What we claim is: r r r r r 1. An aerial bomb consisting of an inclosingshell having a main explosive charge, a primer, and a barbed firing pintherefor at one end, and a propeller, an engine geared therewith, and anengine impairing explosive charge at the other end, and a time fuse forsaid explosive charge.

2. An aerial bomb consisting of an inclosing shell having a mainexplosive charge and a surrounding charge of inflammable fluid, a primerfor the main charge, a firing pin therefor, a propeller, an enginegeared therewith, an engine-impairing explosive charge, anda time fusetherefor, a supplemental explosive charge adjacent the engine, a fueltank between the main and supplemental charges, and a fuse connectingsaid charges extending through the fuel tank.

3. An aerial bomb consisting of an inclosing shell having at one end amain explosive charge, a primer therefor having a springretracted barbedfiring pin operable upon impact, a contained body of inflammable fluidand portions of soaking material mixed therein, and at the other end apropeller, an engine geared therewith, a fuse-ignited charge ofexplosive adapted to render the engine inoperative, and a gasolenesupply tank for the engine midway of the shell.

4. An aerial bomb consisting of an inclosing shell having at one end amain explosive charge, a primer therefor having a springretracted barbedfiring pin operable upon impact, a contained body of inflammable fluidand portions of soaked material mixed therein, and at the other end apropeller, an engine geared therewith, a fuseignited charge of explosiveadapted to render the engine inoperative, supporting and guiding planesfor the bomb, and a gasolene supply tank for the engine midway of theshell.

15. An aerial bomb of the class described consisting of a shell-likebody portion provided with a main explosive charge at one end and aspring-retracted barbed firing pin and igniting primer therefor, apropeller and an engine therefor at the other end provided with meansrendering the engine inoperative at a predetermined time, anengine-destroying explosive charge, a gasolene supply tank for theengine between it and the main explosive charge, and supporting gine andpropeller whereby the bomb Will and stabilizing planes for the bomb.become overbalanced by the main explosive 6. An elongated aerial bombhaving a charge and Will tilt baokwardly and fall by main explosixecharge at one end adapted to gravity and explode upon striking an inter-5 be fired by impact, a propeller and a motor fering object. 15 andignition mechanism therefor at the other In testimony whereof Wehereunto afiix end, planes adapted to maintain the bomb in ourSignatures. continued flight, and an explosive charge in disruptiverelation to the ignition mecha- ARCHIE DI GRAZIA.

l0 nism having a time fuse for stopping the en- RAY BIAGINI.

